midtown paper_4Q11 by QuantumSUR

midtown PAPER

A PUBLICATION OF MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT • houstonmidtown.com

4th qtr 2011

Wal l s wi t h Permi s si o n what’s inside inserted

• midtown map

anguilu takes art to a new dimension...

3 4

midtown meetings choose a meeting and attend

Photo by QuantumSUR

music scene Photo by One World Strategy Group

bestfest in review

two MLK parades set to begin at HCC-Central

helping hands healing streams

who do i call

6 7

midtown dining xuco xicana blackfinn american grille

Dandee Danao, War’Hous Visual Studios

calendar of events a list of midtown events

food for thought farrago world cuisine

aniel Anguilu’s original proposal – an indoor mural – was rejected by Lawndale Art Center. Instead, the gallery asked the artist whose murals had long been the talk in the East End, what he could do outside, along the building’s north exterior wall. “It’s a little intimidating for jobs like that,” says Anguilu, “mostly because of the weather and the resources. But as an artist you always want to push yourself to see what you can do. It was kind of like, ‘Here are some of the materials… knock yourself out.’” Armed with donated cans of house paint, Montana-brand spray paint and 5” rollers, he set out to create Famous Monsters, a largescale mural inspired by his Mexican heritage. His signature black forms became the outline for angular and organic animals and one-of-a-kind shapes that drew from the 33-year old’s Aztec influences. “One of my favorite parts of painting outdoors on buildings is the scale and the access everyone has to the art. This is not for one space and one crowd, this is for everyone to enjoy,” he believes. Murals like Famous Monsters, admits Anguilu, are not planned. “I have fun when I don't know what I’m going to do. The best part is seeing what’s coming out of it and not knowing where it’s going to take you.” He begins with huge, oversized shapes, and then starts working within the shapes by letting them “decide what they’re going to become.” Anguilu usually spends one day getting the wall ready, then the next day just looking at it. Beginning too quickly isn’t always prudent, he admits. It is a lesson he learned by trial and error. Anguilu estimates he spent about 30 hours on Famous Monsters, a seemingly small number when one stands toe-to-toe with the 30’ x 100’ wall. Once the Lawndale wall was completed in July 2011, Anguilu rededicated his artistic hours to the former MHMRA building, a mural he admits will be ongoing for quite awhile. In December 2011, he began the north wall of Dandee Danao’s

Graffiti Be Gone

n 2003, the Greater East End Management District established a Graffiti Abatement Program to do away with unwanted graffiti and tagging in their area. Today, the award-winning program has a welcomed citywide presence, abating nearly 71,000 sites as of November 30, 2011. Sixteen management districts, including Midtown Management District (MMD), now utilize the program, as do

other governmental agencies. MMD is committed to keeping Midtown a clean, safe environment – 24/7 – for its visitors and stakeholders. Every other month, a Graffiti Abatement Team from Greater East End arrives with reports in hand, driving one of four GraffitiMobiles to work in tandem with those goals. Onboard are pressure

Midtown gallery, War’Hous Visual Studios. It’s only fitting that Danao would want Anguilu’s work. War’Hous was created with the purpose of providing a venue for under exposed local talents to display their passions and dreams. “Daniel is a good friend of mine now and I love his work because he doesn’t do it for glory or fame, it's the passion that drives him.” says Danao. “What's amazing is that he does most of his work from his own budget. That tells you how much of an artist he is and his work is so epic that it's so recognizable around town. He cares about other artists... a real genuine guy in my book and I’m honored to have his piece on my wall.” Graffiti is a subject Anguilu likes to stay away from; it’s not who he is today. He looks back on a point in time where he asked himself why he was doing graffiti; there was no meaning, only actions, and it made no sense to continue. Anguilu admits he’s been painting seriously for the past four years with a different view, though he’s painted and drawn in some form most of his life. He’ll tell you he’s not promoting anything other than the passion of public art, (he doesn’t even sign his murals) which he believes we need more of in the city. “I need to work outside,” says Anguilu. “I don’t have any dreams of a gallery or working indoors. This is what I enjoy doing as a pastime, more as a passion, not as a profession.” Anguilu has studio work (smaller paintings), that add some funding, enabling him to produce on a larger scale. The concept of a legal or “free wall” is long familiar in neighborhoods like the East End where numerous works are now community landmarks. The Greater East End District’s proactive approach to graffiti abatement has enlisted the talents of local school children to paint murals on designated wall settings previously tagged with graffiti. As an example, many East End bus shelters now feature murals by local students and artists. “Midtown has been really accepting of the art community and understands it,” says Anguilu. “I thank them for opening doors for artists like me.” In years past, local artists were given the east wall of Midtown’s

washers, sandblasters and paint mixers that enable the team to eliminate the graffiti, then color match paint on site, restoring the property to its pre-graffiti state. The Team is required to take part in a six-month training program. The job brings a sense of ownership, explains Greater East End’s Public Safety and Facilities Director Martin Chavez, but also frustration if the Team has to return when the property is defaced again. Graffiti in the public right of way? Not good. Please report addresses and cross streets, to Midtown's Cynthia Alvarado at cynthiaa@houstonmidtown.com. To date, MMD has abated over 1,000 sites in the Midtown District.

continued on page 4

Then & Now

onnie Jackson is proud to tell you about his 33 years of experience as an auto mechanic, specializing in preowned Mercedes Benz. His 21 years as an independent Mercedes Benz used car dealer is a kudo, too. But when you ask him why he’s not located on a Houston freeway feeder or near an auto mall, he’ll no doubt smile and take you into

Ronnie Jackson pictured here in his mother’s arms.

in & about a list of new and exciting happenings in midtown

War’Hous Visual Studios

continued on page 4

urious about the new restaurant being added to The Mix? The long-awaited Artisans Restaurant located at the corner of Stuart and Louisiana is scheduled to open in January 2012. A new venture between Chef Jacques Fox and the Denis brothers (restaurateurs of Le Mistral fame), Artisans will specialize in French eclectic cuisine and a ‘Chef’s Table’ open kitchen concept, the first of its kind in Houston. www.artisansrestaurant.com.

Check out what's happened, is happening and will happen... It’s all about Midtown!

rt Palace’s recent Art Market Grand Opening benefited Toys for Tots. Ten percent of the gallery’s profits from the event were generously given to the wellknown Marine Corp sponsored event. ART MARKET is located at Art Palace Gallery, 3913 Main, and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 4-9 p.m. and by appointments. Check them out on Tumblr at http://apartmarket.tumblr.com.

izza for one or many – you make the call. Russo’s New York Pizzeria delivers the deal. The Family Special includes two large pizzas with one topping plus a liter

ogaOne is pleased to announce its Yoga Teacher Training Course,  March 9-18, 2012 (Spring Break at most schools) at YogaOne. Albina and  Roger Rippy and other Yo g a O n e teachers will teach the immersive 10-day course. By the end of the course,   you will deepen your own knowledge and yoga practice, have the basic tools to  begin your path as a yoga teacher and will have ample opportunity to practice  and hone your craft in the studio setting. Please visit www. YogaOneHouston.com for more information.

athaniel Donnett created What’s the New News? as an interactive retrospective of the Third Ward, introduced at the Community Artists’ Collective (The Collective) in the Midtown Art Center Tea Room. Artists and writers reinterpret original news stories about events at Third Ward sites with poems and raps to allow the reader to see the events in a different light. Area artists added their own touch to the news racks place throughout the community. The Collective is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, visit www.thecollective.org.

our new home awaits you at Metro Midtown. Two resort-style swimming pools feature cozy cabanas for whiling away the hours and a beautiful clubhouse — the perfect place to entertain friends, complete with a kitchen and Wi-Fi. Other amenities include a spa, sauna, conference center, a Keurig coffee bar and a game parlor. Direct access garage parking and 24-hour emergency maintenance make the package complete. The amenities just keep getting better in the New Year with planned upgrades to Metro Midtown's already stateof-the-art fitness center, "The Beach at Metro" that will add just the right amount of sand to your summertime fun and additional cabana/ seating areas that mirror the top resorts around the world. Check out www.metromidtown-apartments.com or www.facebook. com/metromidtown and see what you've been missing.

losets a little crowded? Extra Space Storage (3011 San Jacinto) has a climate controlled space that’s right for you and your budget – everything from 5’X4 to 60’X 100’. Boxes, tape and bubble wrap, too. Special rates online at www.extraspace.com.

et your alarm for an early wake-up call on February 3. Houston Technology Center (HTC) will be hosting their bi-

rennan’s Executive Chef Danny Trace was nominated for an EMMY for a segment on Fox 26 Morning News “Fishing for Hope after Gulf Oil Spill.” Trace takes an inspection trip of the waters just outside Port Aransas, joined by Brennan’s Executive Sous Chef Javier Lopez and Fox 26’s Greg Groogan.

ack on land, don’t forget if you’re headed to the ballet, symphony or theatre, Brennan's offers complimentary pick up and return to the restaurant. Each transfer can accommodate up to 20 passengers and has several drop off points.Through April 14, 2012, Brennan’s will offer a new route to MFAH for the King Tut Exhibit (Saturday Brunch Only). For required reservations, please call 713522-9711.

elebrities from the worlds of music, television and film—Jackson Hurst, Jill Marie Jones, Brittany Booker, Brett Cullen, Kirk Whalum —highlighted Houston Works recent 2011 Biennial Black-tie Celebrity Gala. Founded in 1984, HoustonWorks USA is the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education and vocational training.

riane Roesch’s installation Going Undercover was clearly visible at Houston’s recent TX Contemporary Art Fair held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The exhibit consisted of a sewn cover for a 20-foot shipping container and a light installation. Ariane, director of Gallery Sonja Roesch and daughter of gallery owner Sonja Roesch, is planning a group exhibition for January/February 2012 to celebrate the gallery’s 21st birthday. Learn more at www.gallerysonjaroesch.com.

ast month, Crave Sushi’s e-club members took 25% off their bill. Sign up for your savings at www.cravesushi.com.

experience life at the next level.

monthly Tech Champs meeting from 7:15-9 ™ o room for learning? University of a.m. Featured within this meeting will be Tech Connection, where HTC and partner apartments Houston Small Business Development • Studios, oneandother two-bedroom Lofts and townhomes Center has the answer. Reserve a organizations in •the community give also over-available • Beautiful hardwood floors room for views of their plans for 2012. No cost toviews learn • Downtown • 2 swimming pools your meeting about the future. • Fully equipped fitness center or computer • Cyber café hase III of Post• Controlled-access Midtown Squareparking is class today. currently under Call Toni at development with 713-752-8446 or meetingsolutions@uh.edu.   the first apartments inners, once again. The 2011 expected to deliver in midtown Houston Culinary Award for the Fall of 2012. The square Outstanding Wine Service, Best new development will Bar Service and consist of 124 apartments an Street average 302with Gr ay Hou889 ston | 77002 ungry? The Farrago Burger is wildly Best Interior unit size of approximately square feet. popular and you’ll probably yearn Design went to Post Midtown Square Phase III will also feature 713.739.7678 for it days later. Hand-formed Angus Brennan’s. The approximately 10,864 square feet of streetW W W . P O S T level P Rretail O Pspace. ERTIES.COM beef sizzled in 2011 Houston a tangy house Food Star Award ouston Re-Market happens each and steak sauce for Favorite Breakfast was awarded to the every 4th Saturday of the month, feasits atop a breakfast klub. The Houston Culinary Awards turing vendors whose products range toasted chalwere founded in 1997 to recognize and from dog treats to art to couture fashion. All lah bun, crowned with crunchy onions and honor local chefs, restaurants and restauvendors utilize sustainable practices. The margooey gorgonzola cheese that oozes down rateurs exhibiting high standards and likely ket features a free ‘swap’ where you can trade the sides—if you don’t catch it first! Check to make a lasting impact for years to come. gently used, unwanted items with others. out Farrago’s other offerings, one of several Congratulations! ”Collective Community” by Ann Johnson

ooking for a special gift? How about a spa party this holiday season? “Wow” everyone with pampering services. Always a friendly staff at Urban Oasis Day Spa, a Best of Citysearch 2011 winner. Top it off with wine, snacks, and 20% off gift cards and services for new clients. Call 713-521-9990 for more info.

Pastor Jim Stern

ORE Church Midtown and Pastor Jim Stern and his family are the “new kids on the block.” CORE Church Midtown is unique, void of traditional church buildings or sanctuaries. Groups of 3-5 people meet weekly to do life together and learn the "Way of Rest" in Jesus. Every person is intentionally trained. Learn more at www.corechurchmidtown.org.

ouston Center for Contemporary Craft announced its call for entry for CraftTexas 2012, the seventh in a series of juried exhibitions showcasing the best in Texas-made contemporary craft. The exhibition is open to artists currently residing in Texas who work in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and round/recycled materials. Entry fee is $35. Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.callforentry.org by March 15, 2012. For full details visit www. crafthouston.org.

What’s left will be donated to local shelters. Bring your household recycling. Fresh, local food will be cooking up on the grill. Live entertainment. Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Houston Re-Market 2850 Fannin at Main and McGowen METRORail stop.

Chef Danny Trace

t’s described by regulars as a karaoke version of Cheers. Come see what everybody’s talking (or trying to sing) about at Glitter Karaoke, 2621 Milam. Monthly art showings by local artists plus killer bar food. Private singing VIP Room houses up to 32 for private parties. Daily specials. Open Tuesday-Thursday 9 p.m.2 a.m., Friday-Saturday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Attire is Downtown Casual, 21+only. Weekends fill up fast. Call 713-526-4900 and leave a message or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare at Glitter Karaoke.

Midtown eateries highlighted this issue, on Page 8.

2012 Miss Texas Brittany Booker, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Gardner

in&about

of Coke (and free delivery!) for $24.95. Or opt for the New York Village Pizza with four meats and three vegetables. Stop by 306 Gray at Bagby or call 713-533-1140, seven days a week, and taste what real New York-style pizza is all about.

hile serving in the Soviet Army, convoying missiles through Siberia, Andrei Molodkin would rub oil over his body to provide the warmth to keep him alive. Oil became his source of survival, yet he was always acutely aware of the corruption and exploitation embedded in its very substance. Oil is the controversial subject of his exhibit Crude at Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama.

he Ultimate Food Lover's Guide (Second Edition) [Lazywood Press, $19.95] is an insider's manual that celebrates everything edible in Houston—restaurants, bakeries, wine bars, ethnic grocers, coffeehouses, butchers, farmers' markets, fishmongers, cooking schools, craft beer bars, sweets shops and more. It’s written and edited entirely by Houston-based food critics and professionals. Pick up your copy online at www.my-table. com and www.amazon.com. A digital version of the guidebook will be available as well.

pread your news and events on the Midtown eNews, Twitter or Facebook. Certain restrictions apply. For more details, email Katherine Mestousis, MMD district assistant, at kmestousis@houstonmidtown.com.

ouston Dog Park Association sponsors an ongoing drop-in style group class on the first Wednesday of each month at Midtown Park. Focus of the class will be owner/dog bonding through improved communication and teamwork with the basic essential obedience skills of walking on a leash, sit, down, stay, come and self-control. Cost is free to Houston Dog Park Association members, $5 per class for non-members. Wear comfortable clothes/ shoes, and you might want to bring mozzie spray. Also bring bags for picking up after your dog. No retractable leashes please, 6' leather or light cotton web preferred. Midtown Park is located at the corner of Brazos and Gray. Contact Crista@HoustonDogPark.org for more details.

iabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness. Changes in the retina are easily detected with OptoMap, the most advanced technology in viewing the retina. The OptoMap enhances your eye doctor’s ability to detect even the earliest signs of disease. Get your Eye Exam and OptoMap done today at Texas State Optical Museum District, 713-523-5109. Find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/MD870.

anuary’s Australia Week celebrates all things Australian, including business, innovation, music, culture and tourism. Spec’s Midtown joins in the festivities with food and wine. Check out the Calendar listing, Page 7, to find “what” and “when.”

ark you calendar for Art Supply on Main’s once a year Art Expo, March 9th and 10th. The 6th annual event

will offer workshops along with manufacturer’s reps and demos – everything from encaustic to pastels. Sign up at www.artsupplyonmain. com. Art Supply on Main offers a full range of art, graphic, architectural and bookbinding supplies with a staff of working artists, ready to help you. Twenty-six artist studios and seven loft-style apartments are also on site, 2711 Main. (Plenty of parking plus easy access with METRORail, HCC/Ensemble stop.)

oes Rover hate thunderstorms? Check out ThunderShirts® – a new product that helps your canine in stressful situations, available at Midtown’s Urban Tails, 1618 Webster. The shirt provides a constant pressure on the nervous, similar to the swaddling of a newborn baby, which helps to calm the animal’s stressing from separation, travel anxiety, fear of thunder or fireworks. Urban Tails strives to provide one stop shopping for your pet services needs and serve as a partner with you in the care of your dogs and cats. Check out their live cams at www. urbantails.cc.

irst Evangelical Lutheran’s Rev. Evan McClanahan, STS reports, “Since our fire on October 10, we have been hard at work on our restoration. We are confident that our nave will be back better than ever, hopefully by the middle of 2012. Several architectural upgrades and a lot of restoration will be able to take place, as our goal is to maintain the design integrity of our historic building. In the meantime, we are able to worship on our site every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in an adjacent building. All of Midtown is welcome!”

ogue Limo Houston, a premier limousine service catering to individuals, private groups and corporations throughout the greater Houston area, just launched. They offer cer tified, professional drivers along with a fleet of eight luxury vehicles and are the only provider that offers the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter—home to two 32” LCD flat screens and a rear 42” LCD flat screen, making it the perfect vehicle for tailgating. Get chauffeured around Midtown in style! Learn more at www.VogueLimoHouston.com.

heck out PL Teahouse’s new online menu (www.plteahouse.com) Call ahead for your To Go order (713-8741466) or take a friend with the Buy 2 Drinks, Get 1 Free Special and settle into their dining room - 2808 Milam.

ood news travels fast. The adage was evident by the looks of the crowd at the Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktail’s recent opening. Another great addition for Midtown, the “sexy” “sophisticated” creation is the dream of owners Robin Berwick and Robin Whalen (yes, you remember their faces from Poison Girl) joining the Mid Main entourage. Don’t let

parking be your excuse, they’re on the HCC/Ensemble METRORail stop. Hours (for now) are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. We’ll tell you more next issue.

f you can't make it to Paris, you can still treat yourself to the wonders of a freshly made crepe... right here in Midtown. CoCo's serves mouthwatering sweet and savory crepes with breakfast starting at 6 a.m. Grab a cappuccino or CoCo's Vanilla Coco Creme to help you begin your day. Coco's is located at 218 Gray at Baldwin.

s your smile ready for Valentine’s Day? Two for Tuesdays at Brian G. Martinez, DDS are a great way to begin. Friendly staff, great parking and a promise to get you in and out in less than an hour. Bring a friend on Tuesday and enjoy ½ off OpalQuik in-office whitenings. Call 713-523-6848 for an appointment.

S T

undays at the award winning 13 celsius. Enjoy 50% off all open bottles. Located at 3000 Caroline, open nightly, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.

ango Cielo, the new tango venue in Midtown Houston, opens with "Angel's Milonga." Grace them with your angelic smiles, white evening wear and celestial moves at the opening of Tango Cielo, Houston's new home for Friday Milongas. Be the first to dance in the gorgeous Tango Heaven. Fine French wine generously donated by Cafe Rabelais. 9 p.m. – 12 p.m. 3710 Main at Alabama. (Between Tacos A Go Go and Big Top) $10 at the door upstairs, students pay $5. Free street parking or $5 parking lot.

es,Virginia, there is a Real Deal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Midtown. Also Muay Thai Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling and Judo. Kids Programs, too. Call 281-974-4499 or go online at www.midtownmma-houston.com for a free consultation. Midtown MMA Houston is locaed inside Metamorphocise Fitness, 3001 La Branch.

oming to Midtown... The Brooklyn Meatball Company. The runner up to last season’s NBC show “America’s Next Great Restaurant”, Joey Galluzzi, is getting ready to open the very first of his planned chain of restaurants right here in our district. His concept, the Brooklyn Meatball Company, will be open in January 2012 at 2117 Chenevert at Gray/Webster. joe@joegalluzzi.com.

OOPS! Our mistake! and sincerest apologies! We tried to make our List of Midtown Businesses (3rd Quarter 2012) as accurate as possible but a few bloopers got passed us! Branding is essential in the business world, that’s why leaving out or repositioning a word in a company’s name is not good. the breakfast klub – three words, lower case and the traditional “k” in place of “c” is the correct name for Houston’s #1 breakfast stop. Our apologies to Marcus and friends for the error. We were one digit off for Nouveau Antique Art Bar. Nouveau’s correct phone number is 713-526-2200. The Tiffany lamps will “wow” you as will the service. Stop by and see for yourself 2913 Main at Plum. In the early ‘90s, Anthony Russo opened up his first restaurant in Clear Lake, with a goal to bring the real New York style pizza down to the Texas marketplace. Later, Anthony expanded the New York Pizzeria concept into a franchise model with the Russo name still an integral part. The correct title for that great little pizza place at 306 Gray is Russo’s New York Pizzeria.

Midtown meetings... At Midtown Management District (MMD) & Redevelopment Authority, offices: 410 Pierce St., Suite 355, Houston, TX 77002.

Please call ahead (713-526-7577) to confirm time and dates or visit: houstonmidtown.com

Midtown Management District Board Meeting Jan. 14 (11 a.m.) Feb. 1 (6 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam) Mar. 7 (11 a.m.) Midtown Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting Jan. 26 (please check dates online) Public Safety Committee Jan. 17, Feb. 21 @ 11:30 a.m. Mar. 20 (6 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam) Marketing Committee Jan. 10, Feb. 14, Mar.13 Second Tuesday of each month @ 4 p.m. Urban Planning Committee Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 8 Second Thursday of each month @ 4 p.m.

Services and Maintenance Committee As needed. Please check online. Baldwin Square Homeowners Association (HOA) Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 14 Second Wednesday of each month @ 4 p.m.

meetings offsite HPD – Positive Interaction Program (PIP) East side of Louisiana

Jan. 17, Feb. 21, Mar. 20 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD South Central Division 2202 St. Emanuel @ Hwy 288 Officer J. Sanchez 713-238-2282 HPD – Positive Interaction Program (PIP) West side of Louisiana

Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 28 4th Wednesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD Central Division, 1602 State St. Officer Wayne Pate 713-284-8604

BestFest Music —in review— Scene H BestFest in midtown

Revisit 2016 Mainstage at 2016 Main Street. This place used to be called Sammy’s and still sports the logo on the building. However, it’s now a more upscale music venue with a great bar and hand banging music. EVERY FRIDAY… The Show at MainStage featuring Anzeo David and Logan Houston with Dj Big Reeks in the booth and no cover all night long. The Spazmatics will be there April 16th. Be sure to check them out. Actually go and see the Spazmatics any chance you get. This group really rocks the house with 80s rock! The show is extremely entertaining and the music brings back great memories of your favorite 80s music. It’s so RADDDD, how 80s of me! (Check out the Calendar Page 7 to see what War’Hous has planned for the same period.) Howl at the Moon at 612 Hadley Street is a very entertaining piano bar. They serve terrific cocktails and this place gets packed. Having a bachelorette party, birthday bash, or just friends getting together for a great time, this is the place to do it. Great for groups! Howl at the Moon’s are all over the country, including the best neighborhood in Houston, right here in Midtown!

GONZO247. Photo by One World Strategy Group.

Walls with Permission

from page 1

XL Auto Parts, 3000 Crawford, as a blank canvas. (Art on a Free Wall, 2nd Qtr. 2008). During Houston Press’ recent Best of Houston® BestFest, Aerosol Warfare’s co-founder GONZO247 created a Best Fest-themed work for the weekend crowd. Last year, GONZO247 partnered with MERGE360 on a 20,000 sq. ft. mural commissioned for Houston Central Library’s downtown parking garage, bringing to light a new level of public awareness, understanding and appreciation of his art.

houstonmidtown.com and you will receive a weekly Midtown eNews, sent to you every Thursday.

Photo by One World Strategy Group

Stay all night, and try to leave your car so you can check out Taco A Go-Go the next morning at 3704 Main St! Best breakfast tacos in Houston. Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktails is just around the corner. They’ll be awake till 2 a.m.

Photo by Roan Matthews

Check out Picture Book at Continental Club on January 6th and if you miss it, they’re back again on the 20th! Picture Book is a local Houston band. They play Rock/Pop and have a great sound.

Photo by Roan Matthews

ook at Pub Fiction at 2303 Smith Street — it’s more than just a great bar for the game. Wednesday's night’s at 9 p.m.; check out live acoustic bands while smashing 35 cent wings and $10 domestic buckets. Thursday Night features two man acoustic jam bands beginning at 9:15 p.m. with $4 Jim Beam drinks and $2 cans of PBR and Lone Star. Houston's best cover bands team up with DJ Michael Disco every Friday Night and Pub Fiction throws it down with ½ off Dos XX pints!

ouston’s premier neighborLocated between Downtown and the hood, Midtown, hosted Texas Medical Center, Midtown is the thousands during the first perfect location to experience the best annual Houston Press Best of Houston, not only during events, but of Houston ® everyday. BestFest event in The revitalthe heart of the ized Midtown community on encourages new what is known as jobs and new “the superblock.” opportunities for The two-day residency, shopevent showcased ping, recreation the best food, and culture. Best music and art of Houston® BestFest gave Houston has to of offer. From the Thousands of Houstonians attend Houston Press first annual thousands Houstonians a sweet sounds of Best of Houston® BestFest. chance to experience just that. There Althea Rene to the graffiti wall prois so much going on in duced by Gonzo247, Midtown; come and see. there was something for Mark your calendars anyone and everyone to for Art in the Park comexperience. ing April 14, 2012. Best of Houston® BestFest packed two Midtown picks on Houston Press’ recent days and two stages with Houston Blues music legend Little Joe Houston Best of list sounds from a variety of Washington rocks out! included: Best Wings: artists including nationEl Xuco Xicana; ally acclaimed Bun B Best Restaurant and the Toadies to local Service: Brennan's, favorites Texas Brass Best Breakfast Tacos: Band, Los Skarnales, and Ta c o s - A - G o - G o ; the Ton Tons. Art and Best Drink Special: food vendors completed Meet the people that make it happen at the event serving cuisine Midtown everyday. L to R, Theresa, Matt, Natachee's, Bloody Mary Sundays; from Houston’s best res- Sally, Katherine, Cynthia & Kandi. Best Art Gallery: taurants and showcasing Inman Gallery; Best traditional and graffiti art. Resurgent Drinking Constant music, beautiArea: Midtown; Best ful art and food choices Renovation: Leon's beyond my expectation, Lounge; Best Dance is what made Best of Party: A Fistful of Houston® BestFest truly Soul at the Mink; one of the best events HCC-Central models with President Dr. William Harmon after a stunning show Best New Building: in 2011. at the VIP reception. Mai's Restaurant; That is what Midtown Best Place to Pamper is all about, merging the Your Pet: Urban Tails; excitement of life with and Best Liquor Store: the arts and economic Spec's Midtown. development that surTexas Brass Band rocks the round a dynamic and crowd with a combination of strong community. Jazz, R&B and Hip Hop. Photo by One World Strategy Group

By Cody Fulford

By Jeri Brooks

then & now

from page 1

his office, and show you a yellowed Kodak print of a woman holding a baby. Ronnie Jackson’s “lived, worked and played” in Midtown long before Midtown was cool. In 1958, Ronnie’s parents bought the small framed house at 2812 Baldwin. He arrived the same year. When he was 11, his dad bought a lot at 221 Tuam and filled it with American-made cars. The young man took a liking to the mechanics under steel bodies and hoods, so much so that his dad built him his very own auto repair shop out back. In 1990, at the age of 32, Ronnie opened the doors of Ronnie Jackson Mercedes. And the rest, as they say, is history. The small framed house is still in place, a bit remodeled; the taxes substantially higher, but to Ronnie, there’s no place like home. Stop by, he’ll be glad to show his pictures of a Midtown from years ago. Go to www.ronniejacksonmercedes.com (you’ll love the cars AND the music!). Do you have a history in Midtown? Tell us your story and we’ll try to fit you into the next issue. Email mary@quantumsur.com

® ®

midtown MAP

RESTAURANTS / BARS A1. 13 celsius 713-529-VINO (8466) A2. Bar Münich 713-523-1008 A3. Brennan’s 713-522-9711 A4. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 713-650-0002 A5. CoCo's Crepes & Coffee 713-521-0700 A6. Crave Sushi 713-527-8744 A7. Farrago World Cuisine 713-523-6404 A8. Luigi’s Pizzeria 281-793-3333 A9. Piola 713-524-8222 A10. Pub Fiction 713-400-8400 A11. Rich’s Houston 713-759-9606 A12. Sushi Raku 713-526-8885 A13. Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar 713-521-1333

PARKS / PUBLIC SPACES P1. Elizabeth Baldwin Park P2. Houston Fire Station No. 7 P3. Midtown Park P4. Peggy’s Point Plaza Park

F10

F12 B9

A4 A13 A6

F10

H14

F10

F8 F7

SERVICES / RETAIL B1. Ambassador Shoe Repair 713-659-0161 B2. Art Supply on Main 713-652-5028 B3. BCP Veterinary Pharmacy 713-771-1144 B5. Brian Martinez, DDS, PA 713-523-6848 B8. Kwik Kopy Business Solutions 713-526-6364 B9. Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 B10. Midtown MIxed Martial Arts 281-974-4499 B11. Mid-Town Surgical Center 713-691-6000 B12. Norhill Realty 713-449-2416 B13. Randall’s Food & Pharmacy 713-331-1042 B14. Rossonian Cleaners 713-524-3134 B16. Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods 713-526-8787 B17. Stewart Cadillac 713-874-0900 B18. TSO Museum District 713-523-5109 B19. Urban Tails 713-658-0900 B20. YogaOne Studios 713-522-0876

A10

B13

B16

D1 F3

HOUSES OF WORSHIP / NONPROFITS E1. Career & Recovery Resources Inc. 713-754-7000 E2. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 713-526-4611 E3. First Evangelical Lutheran Church 713-529-3589 E4. Holy Rosary Parish 713-529-4854 E5. South Main Baptist Church 713-529-4167 E6. St. John's Downtown / Bread of Life 713-659-3237 E7. San Jose Clinic 713-228-9411 E8. SEARCH Homeless Services 713-739-7752 E9. Trinity Episcopal Church 713-528-4100 E10. The Salvation Army Family Residence 713-650-6530 –– CORE Church Midtown 832-492-7791 (multiple locations)

F3 H2

Live, Learn, Work and Play... the Midtown Way

F11

G5 H9

H8 B17

E1 E2

A11

B11

B19

A6 B20

A12 A9

E10

CULTURAL ARTS C1. Community Artists' Collective 713-523-1616 C2. Gallery Sonja Roesch 713-659-5424 C3. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 713-529-4848 C5. Lawndale Art Center 713-528-5858 C7. Station Museum of Contemporary Art 713-529-6900 C8. The Ensemble Theatre 713-520-0055

H12 A1

E9 H11

H4 E4

B10

Financial Institutions D1. Central Bank 832-485-2360 D2. Chase Bank 713-533-1309

P1 H3 C1

H7 G1

H10

F13

C7 F9

B14

= METRORail stops C3 B18 H13 C5 B12

MIDTOWN historic markers 1. H H2. H3. H4.

DePelchin Faith Home Houston Fire Museum First Evangelical Lutheran Church Holy Rosary Church

H5. H6. H7. H8. H9.

C. L. House Building Houston Light Guard Armory Temple Beth Israel The Sheridan Apartments Benjamin Apartments

H10. Isabella Court H11. Trinity Episcopal Church H12. 13 celsius H13. Lawndale Art Center H14. Kirby Mansion

MIDTOWN LIVING OPTIONS F1. 2016 Main 713-659-1801 F2. Camden City Centre 713-651-0350 F3. Camden Midtown 713-652-9944 F5. Edge Condominium 281-687-8429 F7. METRO Midtown 713-529-5333 F8. Midtown Arbor Place 713-874-1313 F9. Midtown Grove 713-590-0615 F10. RISE Lofts 713-523-5700 F11. Travis Lofts 713-227-5406 F12. Post Midtown Square 713-739-7678 F13. Ventana at Midtown 713-550-9600 EDUCATION / Technology G1. Houston Academy for International Studies (HAIS) 713-942-1430 G2. Houston Technology Center 713-658-1750 G3. Houston Community College – Central 713-718-6000 G4. HImagination Campus 713-650-9500 G4. UH Small Business Development Center 713-752-8444

Dinner & a Movie (and more!) in midtown at the collective

ot Nights on Holman” offers area residents affordable, friendly entertainment. Planners’ Revolution, the community development division of the Community Artists’ Collective (The Collective), sponsors the monthly event each first Friday of the month at the Midtown Art Center Tea Room, 1413 Holman at LaBranch. The evenings feature sustainable cinema, vegan comfort food, organic wine, art and live music. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $5/person and includes two cocktails. A $15 admission includes two cocktails and a meal with wine. The Vegan Comfort café, directly adjacent to the Tea Room, will be open from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Bike parking is available on Holman Street, and free auto parking is located behind the Midtown Arts Center. The movie Playtime is scheduled for January 13 with a double feature – Cairo

Time and Medicine for Melancholy planned for February 10. The idea for “Hot Nights” was generated by the April 2011 “Hot Block on Holman” event, a one-day living workshop designed to energize Midtown/ Third Ward and demonstrate how well-designed streets and roads can create safer, more accessible neighborhoods in which to live, play, work and shop. The Collective programs are supported in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and through collaborations with community organizations. The Collective is a member of the Fresh Arts Coalition. For more information: contact The Collective at 713-523-1616 or visit http://bit.ly/q31bMl

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Two MLK Parades Who do I M Call? Set to Begin in Midtown in 2012

idtown is proud to be the originating point for the 6th Annual MLK Youth Parade (January 14) and the 18th Annual MLK Grande Parade (January 16) that will join with celebrations across the nation to commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. The festivities are sponsored by the MLK Parade Foundation whose sole purpose is to promote racial harmony through educational and promotional concepts and ideas. The 5th Annual MLK Youth Parade will begin at 12 p.m. (check in at 10 a.m. at Houston Community CollegeCentral (HCCC) campus, 1300 Holman) and will wind along a .7-mile route. The 18th Annual MLK Grande Parade, set for January 16, will begin at 10 a.m. led by Co-Grand Marshals Curly Neal and James Sanders.Well-known as “Curly”

and “Twiggy”, the two showmen and their on-the-court antics are synonymous with the famous Harlem Globetrotters. The Parade is expected to attract 300,000 spectators with hundreds of thousands more that will view the parade on TV. Led by The University of Houston “The Spirit Of Houston” Marching Band, the day will include professionally designed floats, marching bands, and performing groups. Various dignitaries and community organizations will join in as well. Both parades will originate at San Jacinto and Elgin. For additional parade information and registration, as well as details for the 11th Annual MLK Battle of the Bands Competition and MLK Day of Service with the Harlem Globetrotters, please go to www.mlkgrandeparade.org.

Healing Streams San José Clinic - helping hands in midtown

or the wide population of individuals who are uninsured and lacking heath care, life can sometimes be compared to a parched, dry ground in need of water. The ‘healing streams’ emanating from San José Clinic may just be the refreshing answer for which they’ve been waiting. San José Clinic began in 1922 supported by the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and is a ministry of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston as well as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 2010, a generous gift from the CHRISTUS Foundation of Healthcare, enabled the Clinic to relocate to the new John S. Dunn/W.T. & Louise J. Moran Family Health Center in the center of Midtown. “We want to provide quality health care with dignity and respect to individuals and families that have limited access to such services,” explains Paule Anne Lewis, executive director. Individuals living within 10 counties and 200 zip codes, even as far away as Waller and Galveston counties, can call for eligibility. The host of services literally span the alphabet. From audiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and internal medicine, to ophthalmology, neurology and urology—so many more needs can now be met. Through the third quarter of this year, 3,760 patients journeyed to the Clinic totaling a stunning 21,763 visits. Julius Crenshaw is in that number. He is 50-years-old and lives in an outlying area, far from downtown Houston where the Clinic is located; yet he qualified for services. For over three years, Crenshaw has received dental services, eye care, diabetes education and receives his medications from the Class A pharmacy conveniently located for patients within the building. “The staff is sincere and treated me with respect and dignity,” Crenshaw shares gratefully. “They didn’t treat me like I had no insurance—they treated me like I had insurance. I was overwhelmed by the service.”

By Elizabeth C. Searcy

Respectable organizations team up with the Clinic including 23 university teaching affiliations and 18 collaborative partners who provide direct support. The lifeblood of any nonprofit is their volunteers. There are many needs and just as many rewarding opportunities to give back. Dentists, hygienists, medical assistants, nurses, pharmacy technicians, and physicians, especially those bilingual in Spanish, are all needed to share their gifts of healing and compassion in this nurturing atmosphere. Likewise, volunteer opportunities abound for individuals in the community. Roles in administration, marketing, patient care and support are all available. Hilda Vollero, M.D., is a pediatric neurologist and has been volunteering once a week at the Clinic for 10 years. Her husband, Dr. Robert Vollero, a urologist and surgeon is the Clinic’s volunteer medical director. “Whoever comes can pick and choose their own time,” Dr. Hilda encourages. Revitalize your health and partake of this invigorating oasis called San José Clinic. San José Clinic Wish List Clinical Needs: Cardiology Stress Test Equipment; Fiber Optic Endoscope; Hyfrecator, (A Dermatology and Minor Surgical Procedure Unit); Surgical Equipment. Non-Clinical Needs: Computer Server; Incumbent Bike; Treadmill Contact: Executive Director, Paule Anne Lewis 2615 Fannin Street (at McGowen), Houston, Texas 77002 Telephone: 713-228-9411 • Eligibility: 713-490-2610 Volunteer: 713-228-9413 • www.sanjoseclinic.org Email: volunteer@sanjoseclinic.org

Emergency calls: 9-1-1 Non-Emergency Houston Service Help Line: (Traffic signals & signs, potholes, broken curbs, water leaks, etc.) Be sure to request a reference number. 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 City of Houston – Animal Control 713-229-7300 City of Houston – Public Works City of Houston – Public Utilities City of Houston – Solid Waste City of Houston – Curbs & Ditch City of Houston – Code Violations/ Neighborhood Protection City of Houston – Fire Marshall Enforcement 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 www.houstontx.gov City of Houston Environmental Investigations 713-525-2728 CenterPoint (gas) 713-659-2111 Reliant Energy (electric) 713-207-7777 Nonworking street light. Provide the 6-digit pole number (6-7 ft high on the pole)

AT&T (telephone) 1-800-464-7928 (new service) 1-800-246-8464 (repair) Comcast 713-462-9000 METRO Light Rail/Bus Schedules & Routing 713-635-4000 Police Dispatch (concerns along the rail/bus stops & HOV) 713-224-COPS (2677) Houston Police Department (HPD) (Non-Emergency) 713-884-3131 HPD Central Station 713-247-4400 HPD South Central Station 832-394-0200 Harris County Sheriff’s Dispatch 713-221-6000 Harris County Precinct 7 Dispatch 713-643-6602 Crime Stoppers 713-222-8477 Texas Poison Center Network 1-800-222-1222 Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office 713-527-4002 mayor@cityofhouston.net James Rodriguez, City Council District I 832-393-3011 districti@houstonTX.gov Wanda Adams, City Council District D 832-393-3001 districtd@houstonTX.gov

Midtown Xuco Xicana...

El XX, a culinary trip deep into Mexico

By Sara C. Strong

an you say Xuco Xicana? We didn’t think so. Not a problem, apparently. Despite the nearly unpronounceable name, the vivacious restaurant is one of the most talked-about eateries in Midtown. The metal-clad two-story “El XX” (that’s the nickname on the sign) is carving a niche very distinct from its family member, the venerable El Patio on Westheimer near Winrock. El XX shares owners with El Patio and occupies space vacated by the former El Patio Midtown. Chef Jonathan Jones started the gradual metamorphosis last spring. His inspiration comes from authentic Latin American cuisines from south of the border – way south in some cases. That’s true even for the chicken wings, that traditional snack food of the Northeast U.S. Choices of “wangs” (as they’re termed on the menu) include a queso fresco-topped Jalisco-style sided by a hot sauce of allspice, cloves, cumin, pepitas, garlic and toasted sesame seeds. Slices of palate-cooling jicama stand in for traditional celery sticks. It’s new in town, but the Houston Press ranks this version as the city’s best. Mayan-style fish tacos, with the fish cooked and served in a banana leaf, are another favorite. Michoacan carnitas are made of pork shoulder simmered in chiles, cinnamon, garlic, orange and Mexican Coca-Cola. Other popular choices include queso dip; enchiladas, both rolled and stacked; pork torta, which is a pulledpork sandwich; and cuke salad. For dessert or a snack, lots of El XX fans choose the churros, which are crunchy fried pastries rolled in sugar and canela (that’s a Mexican-style cinnamon – you’ll taste the difference) served with Aztec Xocolatl, a chile-spiced chocolate pudding. The chef’s favorite? The hominybased Mexican soup called posole. One order brings you about a quart of soup. “But not many people want to share it,” Jones said. It’s perhaps the fish, in various El XX forms, that grabs the most menu attention. “Our ceviche is probably the best

in the city,” Jones said of the Peruvianstyle offering. “I’m manic over the freshness of my seafood.” He said our Gulf of Mexico, rich with lesser-known species, has more variety than the Mediterranean Sea. With such emphasis on authenticity, it’s easy to imagine Jones growing up in an exotic south-of-the-border seaside village. Nope, he’s from La Porte. But he did luck into a mentor who introduced him early to the ways of a Mexican kitchen. “My best friends were my neighbors from Monterrey, Mexico. We were not

allowed to speak English in their house. Their mother was very strict and wanted only Spanish spoken in her home,” Jones said. The young Jones, an only child until age 6, enjoyed the noisy controlled chaos of the eight-member family a couple of blocks away. “I was there a lot and welcome just like a member of that family.” The table of Maria Zapata was where he honed his appreciation for foods from her homeland, like posole; real Mexican-style tacos; fideo, which is a noodle soup; and menudo, a chile stew made with tripe. Those early culinary influences paid off last spring as he developed dishes for El XX. Soon after the opening, he was honored to host his old friend Mrs. Zapata. “She came here when I first rebranded the restaurant, and she cried,” Jones said. So the El XX cuisine carries a longtime pedigree. But what about that name? That story reaches to El Paso, still sometimes called by its old nickname of El Xuco, and its larger across-theborder neighbor city of Juarez. The Pachuco style (remember zoot suits?) was born there in the 1930s and ’40s and spread west to Los Angeles before blending into the Chicano movement. The restaurant’s full name of Xuco Xicana blends the history. As for pronunciation, try Chuco Chicana. But you can stay with calling it “El XX.” Everyone knows you mean the new high-energy restaurant in the place of the former El Patio.

Xuco Xicana 2416 Brazos at Bremond Street, across from the back of Spec’s 713-523-8181 www.elpatio.com/locations Happy Hour: Tuesday thru Friday, 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

dining...

great places to eat!

BlackFinn American Grille... It’s a four-in-one

W By Sara C. Strong

ith the Nov. 17 opening of BlackFinn American Grille, a new restaurant concept established itself in Midtown. The new bar and eatery offers a single menu in its four dining areas— the Grille Room, Saloon, Dining Room and Patio. BlackFinn even has a place for your dog to kick back after he’s had a tough day. But we’ll get back to all those dining rooms later. First, let’s tend to the story of the restaurant’s growth. You may be familiar with other cities’ incarnations of the BlackFinn that concentrate less on dining. This is the company’s second full-restaurant style American Grille (Jacksonville, Fl, got the first) and its

first establishment outside a retail setting. In Midtown, several floors of public parking above helps make it easy to gather friends, family and business associates in the ground floor BlackFinn. “We want to have a place where people can go for special occasions,” said Operating Partner Ralph Matthews. “We would love to be an anchor in the Midtown community.” Menu highlights include the BlackFinn Crab Tower and Blackened Brie appetizers. Favorite entrees include lots of comfort foods like Queen City Chicken, Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf and TexMex fare, but the menu goes further. “My absolute favorite thing on the menu is called Shrimp and Grits,” Matthews said. The dish starts with a pan-seared goat-cheese grit cake topped with blackened shrimp, then served with Béchamel sauce. And there is Ying Ying Shrimp, which features shrimp fried in a cornstarchbased coating, rather than flour, to keep them crisper in sauce. “Probably this in the most popular dish on the menu,” Matthews said. BlackFinn offers Chilean Sea Bass, as well as the fish marinated in Oolong tea then served with a coconut-curry rice cake and snow peas. Also popular are large and small salads, seafood, burgers and sandwiches. About 30 of the menu’s dishes are Houston’s regional favorites, and about two-thirds are shared with the Jacksonville menu. Every selection can

be served in any of the dining rooms. And that brings us back to BlackFinn’s concept of four dining areas, each with a different mood. The Dining Room (that’s the full name), with its motorized miniature derrick, celebrates the people and history of Houston and the oil industry. Photographs and industry memorabilia hang on the walls that flank its large gas fireplace. Continuing the local theme, the wood-trimmed walls of the Grille Room display items from local sports teams and the Houston Rodeo. A divider separates the Grille Room’s dining area from its bar. The high-energy Saloon is the center of attention for bar patrons. Large TV screens surround its circular bar. Wine and beer and free WiFi are other attractions, but fresh-squeezed cocktails are the Saloon’s stars. For example, bartenders whip up the BlackFinn Greyhound from freshsqueezed grapefruit juice and Grey Goose vodka rather than the frozen and generic alternatives. But for dog lovers the outdoor Patio, facing Bagby and Pierce, rates four paws up. The Patio seats about 110 diners of the human type who are invited to bring along their pet canines. Live music is featured on weekends. Heaters are on hand for evenings that get chilly. That’s quite a lot to invite you to the new Midtown location of the growing restaurant chain. If you have friends in Austin who might like what you find, tell them about it. Their city is the next up for the BlackFinn American Grille’s expansion.

BlackFinn American Grille 1910 Bagby at Pierce 713-651-9550 www.blackfinnhouston.com houston.blackfinnamericangrille.com Hours: Monday thru Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Happy Hour: Monday thru Friday, 4 - 7 p.m. $3 for domestic beer, house wine and well drinks. $6 for full-sized appetizers. Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Midtown... The best place in Houston for dining-out! houstonmidtown.com

calendar of events Binary Traces: Young Girl, Bridge 11: Lia Cook, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (photo by Lia Cook)

Ridiculously 80’s Show, Dandee Danao, War’Hous Visual Studios

ONGOING

hru February 12. ANDREI MOLODKIN | CRUDE. Andrei Molodkin is known internationally for his socio-political projects. Dualism is at play, as the viewer is at once faced with the juxtapositions of life and death, need and desire, opportunity and greed. Station Museum of Contemporary Art.

hru June 12. Famous Monsters. Lawndale Art Centers north exterior wall becomes Daniel Anguilu’s vibrant mural, a blend of angular and organic forms that create animal and other shapes that often draw from Aztec influences. Non toxic paint for the project was provided by The Green Painter.

JANUARY

Texas Coast Karate will be having a Grand Opening and Open House to introduce Midtown Houston to Self Defense and Traditional Martial Arts practice. This will be a big event and all are invited. Texas Coast has been in Midtown for 2 years now, and it's time to let everyone know! Start time: 9:00 a.m. End Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: San Jacinto @ Elgin. For details, call Wayne Boozer at 832-729-0064 or visit www.texascoastkarate.com.

- March 3. JOHN SONSINI: New Paintings. Opening Reception January 13, 6-8 p.m. Inman Gallery.

Ridiculously 80s Show. They say that the trend comes back every 30 years. Dandee Warhol of War'hous, voted Houston Press Reader’s Choice Best Artist of 2011, has been exploring the new 80s trend that's slowly creeping into the Houston underground scene. From art, music, and fashion, he puts together his newest curating project. Local businesses and over 30 artists are involved to make this fun exhibition happen. The showcase will include 80s style artwork, 80s music and clothing fashion show, a break dancing contest and Delorean Motor Co.’s back-to-the-future cars. 80s attire encouraged. Teleport back in time 8 p.m. – Midnight. War’Hous Visual Studios.

The Yoga Food Connection. Explore the connection between yoga and food at this enlightening workshop. Start the morning with a yoga class taught by Certified Yoga Instructor Sharon Mariani followed by a cooking class taught by Chef Monica Pope. The workshop will engage all of your senses. You'll leave with increased awareness of your body and the inspiration to carry it through to what you prepare in your kitchen. It's all about local yoga and local ingredients. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For pricing and reservation, go to http://tafia.ticketleap.com/ yogacooking.

Cooking Class: The Art of Brunch, $60 per person. Call for reservation, cost and time. Brennan’s of Houston. 3300 Smith Street. 713-522-9711.

-February 25. CONTACT. Jade Walker is interested in focusing on the ideology of American society in respect to the image of the figure and translating that into a tangible object.

Opening reception January 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. John M. O’Quinn Gallery. Lawndale Art Center.

-February 25. This Weird Place. Lane Hagood, Alika Herreshoff, Cody Ledvina, Lee Piechocki, Anthony Record & Eric Shaw. Curated by Sebastian Forray. All six artists engage the unsteady ground between figuration and abstraction using diverse, unique means. Mezzanine Gallery. Opening Reception January 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. Project Space. Lawndale Art Center.

-February 25. Breaking Ground. TJ Hunt. The artist attempts to place her work in dialogue with canonical artworks of the past in order to examine her own position in an art historical lineage, often resulting in absurd or overly literal situations. Grace R. Cavnar Gallery. Opening reception January 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. Lawndale Art Center.

-February 25. Unfadeable So Please Don’t Try To Fade Me. Carlos Rosales-Silva. Through varied formal languages, the work of this Texas-based artist reflects the absorption and appropriation of minority culture by mainstream American society. Opening Reception January 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. Project Space. Lawndale Art Center.

-28. Taste of Australia features wines and epicurean delights from the Land Down Under. Sample wines from Rathbone Wine Group, beer from Coopers and Australian produce. For a complete list of events, visit www.aacc-houston.org or www.australiaweek. org. Spec’s Midtown.

Stop by to sample tasty Australian fare prepared by local Australian chef Jason Gould. This event is free and open to the public. For a complete list of events, visit www. aacc-houston,org or www.australiaweek.org. Spec’s Midtown. 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

FEBRUARY

Transference: Andy Paiko & Ethan Rose, Original installation @ Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland (photo by Jake Stengal)

-May 13. Bridge 11: Lia Cook. Lia Cook’s interest in neuroscience and the brain led her to explore the nature of people’s emotional responses to seeing a woven face compared with a photographic print. The California-based fiber artist brings her large-scale weavings to Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Opening reception February 3, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Case of the Mondays: Joie de Vivre. Guests taste through a case of wine with Brennan’s Wine Director, Jason Sherman. Call for reservation, cost and time. Brennan’s of Houston. 3300 Smith Street. 713-522-9711.

Tasting Panel – A Roundtable Discussion/ Lesson in Spirits. Call for reservation, cost and time. Brennan’s of Houston. 3300 Smith Street. 713-522-9711.

Duckhorn Wine Dinner. Call for reservation, cost and time. Brennan’s of Houston. 3300 Smith Street. 713-522-9711.

Houston Re-Market Recycling Day. Accepts plastics 1-5 & 7, aluminum, tin, glass, paper, and cardboard. Garage sales, swap options, entertainment and food. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 2850 Fannin, near METRORail Stop Main & McGowen.

march

-10. Art Supply Art Expo. Workshops, manufacturers reps, demos — everything from encaustic to pastels. Sign up at www.artsupplyonmain.com.

-18. YogaOne Immersion Teacher Training Course 2012 (Yoga Alliance 200RYT). Cost: $2,200. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a spot, balance due by March 1, 2012. Space is limited. Price includes a monthly unlimited yoga pass to be used  in the time leading up to the training and printed course materials but does  not include required reading materials. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED. NO  EXCEPTIONS. YogaOne Studios. 3030 Travis St.

-May 13. Transference: Andy Paiko & Ethan Rose. A kinetic installation in glass and sound by Portland-based artists, Andy Paiko (glass) and Ethan Rose (sound). The exhibition reinterprets historically overlooked instruments, such as the glass armonica and glass harp, as a vehicle for the exploration of the material and aural properties of glass. The exhibition is part of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG)'s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the studio/ contemporary glass movement in the United States. Opening reception February 3, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Small Gallery. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

“A Young Man In Curlers At Home on West 20th Street”, You, Me & Diane, Emily Peacock, Lawndale Art Studio.

-26. The Ballad of Emmett Till. A month after his fourteenth birthday, a confident youth, on the threshold of manhood, embarks on a summer trip to Mississippi. His pursuit of happiness and liberty are pierced with the poignancy of life. The play is a 2009 Winner of the Edgar Award by Mystery Writers of America. PG/ Drama. The Ensemble Theatre.

A list of Midtown’s Events

-April 14. LOW IMPACT (RESISTANCE TO FLOW/THIS IS BOB CYLAN TO ME) SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Jim Nolan & Linda Post. Opening Reception March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. In conjunction with FotoFest 2012. Lawndale Art Center. -April 14. The Photographic Mirror. Curated by Chuy Benitez. Work by Ben Aqua, Shelley Calton, Alejandro Cartagena, Brittney Connelly, Morgan Ford, Michael Galt, Alex Goss, Joel Hernandez, Misty Keasler, Allyson Klutenkamper, Qian Ma, Will Michels, Candace Moore, Lupita Murillo Tinnen, Matt Nager, Kristy Peet, Chisum Pierce, Tala Vahabzadeh. Opening Reception March 9, 6:308:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. In conjunction with FotoFest 2012. Lawndale Art Center.

-April 14. You, Me, & Diane. Emily Peacock. Opening Reception March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. In conjunction with FotoFest 2012. Lawndale Art Center.

-April 14. Scroll. Randall McCabe. Opening Reception March 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., artist talks at 6 p.m. In conjunction with FotoFest 2012. Lawndale Art Center.

-April 15. Cuttin’ Up. An exploration of the African American barbershop trimmed with a series of thought-provoking and funny anecdotes, memories and music into a living oral history covering 60 years. The Ensemble Theatre.

Houston Re-Market Recycling Day. Accepts plastics 1-5 & 7, aluminum, tin, glass, paper, and cardboard. Garage sales, swap option, entertainment and food. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 2850 Fannin, near METRORail Stop Main and McGowen.

april

-29. Design Fair 2012: Learn. Shop. Connect. vintage modern objects of the 20th century as well examples of cuttingedge contemporary design. A wide selection of carefully curated items will be available for purchase as part of the Design Fair. Visitors to the Fair will be able to meet the designers and exhibitors for an upclose and personal look at the pace-setting designs of today and the mid-20th century. Lawndale Art Center.

how to find them... Art Supply on Main 2711 Main, 77002 713-652-5028 • artsupplyonmain.com Brennan’s of Houston 3300 Smith, 77006 713-652-5028 • brennanshouston.com Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) 4848 Main, 77002 713-522-9711 • crafthouston.org Inman Gallery 3901 Main, 77002 713-526-7800 • inmangallery.com Lawndale Art Center 4912 Main, 77002 713-528-5858 • lawndaleartcenter.org Midtown MMA Houston 3001 La Branch,77002 (inside Metamorphocise) 281-974-4499 Spec’s 2410 Smith, 77006 713-526-8787 • specsonline.com Station Museum 1502 Alabama, 77004 713-529-6900 • stationmuseum.com The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main, 77002 713-520-0055 • ensemblehouston.org War’Hous Visual Studios 4715 Main, 77002 832-768-9515 • warhous.com YogaOne 3030 Travis, 77006 713-522-0876 • yogaonehouston.com

F o r T h o u ght

By Cody Fulford ey there fellow Midtowners! If you’re like me, you like food and beer. If you’re feeling hungry on Tuesday nights, Community Bar at 2703 Smith Street is the best spot to be for a cold one and a great steak night. Its casual atmosphere and great outdoor patio will keep you long after you’re finished with the beer and the food. The 14 oz ribeye is even served with a tasty garlic

mashed potato mix and some steamed veggies. Mix that with your favorite bottle of beer, and you’ve started your week off well. If Wednesday night is more your style, check out Barcadia, 2600 Travis Street. The draft beer selection is one of Houston’s best, $3.00 on Wednesdays with half-price appetizers. Try the Fried PBJ, yes, you translated that correctly, and a Dogfish Head 90 Minutes IPA, all for under $10. Monday nights at Barcadia rock as well with ½ priced food and $2.00 bottles. This isn’t your typical bar. If you love PAC-MAN, skee ball, arcade Mortal Kombat, Giant Jenga and a great eclectic crowd, this is your place. Find the manager, Johanna, and tell her Cody sent you. 13 celsius at 3000 Caroline, is a terrific, little European wine bar. It doesn’t have that pretentious feel that other wine bars have, and the vino selection is marvelous. They are open nightly Sunday-Wednesday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 4 p.m. -2 a.m., but Sunday is my favorite day to join in the vino madness; all opened bottles from Friday and Saturday are 50% off! This is a great night to relax outside your normal frugal budgetary constraints and delve into a vino tinto that you ordinarily wouldn’t spring for! Grab a cheese plate, one of the excellent paninis, or one of their home-brewed beers and enjoy.

Thursday night means the weekend is almost here and why not show up to work Friday with circles under your eyes from the night before? Shot Bar at 2315 Bagby Street has it going on for you! Spin the roulette wheel like you’re in Vegas, but gamble on shots. Choose up to 4 FREE shots and the color, if it lands, you and your friends just won 4 free shots! Be ready to show some moves and mingle with the single people. There’s plenty of dance space upstairs and a large front outdoor patio if you need some air. If you can’t get a phone number here, something is seriously wrong with your game! Go to the hair salon and see if they can help you out!

W o r l d

An established midtown eatery

hen attorney Howard L. Steele Jr. walked into Farrago World Cuisine for the first time, he ordered the Latin pork and hominy stew with green chilies. He loved it so much—you could say the Posole stole his heart. The result? He eventually bought the place and instructed the chefs to never alter the recipe. An established Midtown eatery, diners have desired the eclectic food in the relaxing, yet urban vibe for over 11 years. In November, Farrago turns one year old under Steele’s management. Chefs Scott S. Dolman and Christofer Dilán are at the helm of your culinary cruise through intercontinental fare. On the day I visited Farrago, I savored dishes that made my palate sing. Being a lover of seafood, I’ve never had the courage to try one dish—until now. Start your meal with the Curried Mussels, prepared with the correct technique. They’re fork tender and luscious; bathed in a generous bowl of light and silky Thai coconut cream sauce. Make sure to sop up all the goodness with the Slow Dough artisan baguette and don’t miss a drop. The marriage of basil, cilantro and lime in the sauce is not spicy, but wonderfully fresh and aromatic. You won’t soon forget your first bite of the curried chicken empanada with the red pepper, yogurt-dipping sauce. A successful light and crispy, yet flaky dough, it fills the bill—not a large one either—only $9. Don’t forget the Daily Specials and the Soupe du Jour. Today’s was Cheddar Ale Soup—a velvety cheese base with diced vegetables, lightly kissed with St. Arnold’s Christmas Ale. Even non-beer drinkers like myself will enjoy this smooth and satisfying offering. “We bring so many different influences to the table—American, Asian, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Southern, and Thai,” explains Chef Dilán. If you fancy fish, the Gulf offerings are

Midtown Management District

credits

410 Pierce Street, Ste. 355

Send Information to:

Houston, TX 77002

C u i s i n e

Design & Production: Quantum/SUR 12818 Willow Centre Drive, Suite B Houston, Texas 77066 281-955-2449 • www.quantumsur.com Editor Mary Chavoustie, mary@quantumsur.com

By Elizabeth C. Searcy

fresh and diverse—speckled trout, redfish, salmon, and shrimp, and the ‘market fish’ special. The Hawaiian Red Sashimi Tuna, prepared as an appetizer for $12 or tacos for $15, is flown in from the Aloha state several days a week. An extensive champagne and wine list is available, including nine varieties of Malbec. The owner’s favorite? Red. Wines are $4 a glass during Happy Hour, and I’m told the frozen mojito is infamous. ($7) “We like to give every palate a chance,” shares D’Angela Hill, Catering and Event Manager. Every bite of the Goat Cheese Brulee’ arugula salad is scrumptious and pure satisfaction on the lighter side for only $5 or $8. A tender mix dressed with a sambal citrus vinaigrette, tomatoes and pecans, it’s a delightful winner. Weekend brunch anyone? Relish the all-you-can-eat omelet station ($15) with a choice of 20 toppings, fresh from the Farrago Farmer’s Market on the back patio, or indulge in the decadent Stuffed French Toast with maple cream cheese, pecan syrup and a side. ($10) To round out the Farrago experience, the management doesn’t miss a beat. Enjoy live entertainment on Saturday nights and a DJ on Sundays. The staff aims to please and welcomes special events; even engagements. Consider the 88-seat private room; where even a belly dancer performed. To date, three couples will forever remember Farrago as the place where they pledged their love, while I’ll forever remember Farrago for the sheer love of fine food. Photo by JackDavidsonPhotography.com

Food

Farrago

Farrago World Cuisine

318 Gray, Houston, Texas 77002 713-523-6404 • www.farragohouston.com Breakfast: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11a.m.- 4 p.m. Dinner: Mon, Tues, Wed: till 10 p.m. Dinner:Th, Fri, Sat: till 11 p.m.; Sun till 9:30 p.m. Sat/Sun Brunch: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy Hour: 4-7 p.m., Th- all day MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Todd Triggs

Chairman of the Board

Matt Thibodeaux

Executive Director for Midtown Management District & Midtown Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ #2) mattt@houstonmidtown.com

Cynthia Alvarado

Managing Director cynthiaa@houstonmidtown.com

Publisher/Art Director Leonel E. Mejía, leo@quantumsur.com

Katherine Mestousis

Contributing Writers Jeri Brooks Cody Fulford Katherine Mestousis Elizabeth C. Searcy Sara C. Strong

MIDTOWN redevelopment authority and tax increment reinvestment zone #2 ( TIRZ #2)

District Assistant kmestousis@houstonmidtown.com

Robert Sellingsloh Chairman of the Board

Accounting Manager Marta M. Mejía, marta@quantumsur.com

Kandi Schramm

The Midtown Management District (MMD) and Quantum/Sur do not knowingly accept false or misleading information or editorial, nor do they assume responsibility should such material appear in the paper. Views expressed in the midtown paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, publisher, or the MMD. Every effort has been made to ensure accurate information at the time of publication, however, this cannot be guaranteed. Publishing of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any product or service offered. All submissions of editorial or photography are only accepted without risk to the publisher or the MMD for loss or damage.

Marlon T. Marshall